"They only hire the best of the best to skate," he sniped. "It would've been hard of them to justify hiring [Weir]." Lycasek added that Weir was "whining" about being snubbed; "I think he was really upset because he wanted the financial benefit of the tour."

On Friday, a regretful Lycasek told UsMagazine.com that he "never should have answered" the paper's question about Weir.

Waving a white flag — sort of — Lycasek tells Us that that his rival "is an accomplished and talented skater."

Lysacek explains his outburst: "Since the Olympics, I've dealt with Johnny's questioning my integrity and sexuality, and I've never spoken out on my own behalf no matter how hurtful those things may have been. I should have known better."